Giant Short-Faced Bears

A paper (in the Journal of Paleontology) recently published a range expansion of Arctodus simus, finding late Pleistocene fossils in Florida.

Andean Bears

A paper from 2008 on a survey for rumored Andean bears in Panama.

"Spirit Bear" Research

White phase black bears have an advantage over normal black bears while fishing for salmon. (News source) [Via Kevin Stewart]

Grizzlies Returning to Manitoba

Officially noted as extirpated in Manitoba, grizzly bear sightings are coming from the northern section of that province. (News source.)

"Grizzly bears, which are officially listed as extirpated in Manitoba - no longer existing in the region - appear to be making forays into the northern fringe of the province, according to provincial wildlife officials.
"One to three grizzly bear sightings are being confirmed every year by Manitoba Conservation, provincial biologist Bill Watkins said."

(Via Kevin Stewart)

Grizzly Study

A study on the grizzlies of northwest Montana estimated the presence of 765 bears, nearly 2 1/2 times previous estimates. (News source.)

Scot Polar Bear to be Tested

An Ice Age polar bear skull found in a cave in the Scottish Highlands in 1927 is undergoing genetic tests to determine how it relates to modern day ursines. (News source.)

Northern Grizzly

A young grizzly has been seen on Melville Island in Canada's High Arctic region, further north than the bears usually migrate. Previous sightings suggest that it has been on the island for three years. (News source.)

Grizzly Search Planned

Federal and state officials plan a grizzly hunt for bears in north-central Idaho and western Montana, following the shooting of a grizzly along the border by a mistaken black bear hunter. That was the first confirmed sighting in the area since 1946. Hair traps and motion-sensitive cameras would be used. The $60,000 hunt is as yet unfunded. (News source.)

"But even if bears are in the area, Nadeau said, confirming their existence will be difficult.
"'These animals are very good at hiding and living their lives unbeknownst to humans,' he said."

Mystery Bears

For those who found the recent reprint posting on Macfarlane's Bear interesting, Matt Bille has kindly allowed us to reproduce his section on mystery bears (from Rumors of Existence, 1995) in BioFortean Review as a companion piece.